Moon White: Color Me Enchanted with Bonus Content Read Online Free PDF Page A

like my dad.



four
    “W E’RE HAVING AN EQUINOX PARTY ON S ATURDAY,”SAYS A UGUSTINE AS SHE sets a piece of eggplant casserole on my plate.
    “What’s an equinox?” I ask as I spread some garlic hummus on a piece of flatbread.
    “It’s a very special time of year,” she explains. “The day and night are the same length. It represents the changing of the seasons.”
    “Remember how Augustine and I were engaged on the vernal equinox?” my dad says as he sprinkles a heap of shredded parmesan cheese onto his chunk of casserole. It’s all I can do not to grab the container and dump some on mine too, even if it does have milk. Augustine really tries to make healthy food, but sometimes it just doesn’t taste quite right.
    “Oh yeah,” I say. “I remember how Augustine said it was a good sign that you asked her on the first day of spring.”
    “And then we got married during the summer solstice,” Augustine says, winking at Dad. “We made sure the planets and stars were aligned properly and did this thing right.”
    “So Augustine thinks that the autumnal equinox would be a good time to have our friends over, a way for her to meet some people.”
    “You can invite your friends too,” she says. “It’s for all ages.”
    “Augustine already called Brandon Lichtner about the music.”
    “You’re having live music?”
    “Yes,” says Augustine. “I’m hoping the weather will be nice enough to have a bonfire outside, and the band can play from the gazebo and we’ll have dancing on the deck. I’ll make a lot of hanging lanterns, out of old canning jars and twisted wire, and we’ll put little tealights inside and hang them from the trees. It’ll be beautiful.”
    “It does sound pretty.”
    “So you’ll invite your friends?”
    “I guess . . .” Okay, I’m not too sure what Lucy would think of something like this, especially since she’s not too comfortable with Augustine anyway. But Kendall and Chelsea might like it.
    “How was dance?” asks my dad as he pours himself a glass of wine, holding it up to the light to examine its clarity, which I’m thinking is a little murky. My dad makes his own wine, and some batches are better than others.
    “It was okay, I guess.” Then I decide to make my announcement. “But I was sort of thinking about quitting.”
    “Quitting?” Dad sets down his glass and frowns at me. “Why?”
    “Oh, I don’t know. I think I’ve sort of outgrown it.”
    “But you’re so good,” says Augustine. “You can’t quit.”
    “And this is your year to be the Sugar Plum Fairy.” Dad tosses me a hopeful smile.
    “Maybe not.”
    “Maybe not?” Dad looks confused now. “Why not?”
    So I tell them a little about the new girl. “She’s Naomi’s goddaughter, and she dances like she’s been to some really good schools. Her family moved here from Southern California and — ”
    “Her last name isn’t Daniels by any chance?” asks Dad.
    “Yes,” I say. “Elizabeth Daniels. Do you know her?”
    “I don’t know her , but I’ve had the pleasure of meeting her dad recently.” His brow creases. “Anthony Daniels is the developer of the Yaquina Lake property.”
    “The development that your firm is fighting?” asks Augustine.
    “That’s the one.”
    “And his daughter is the one who’s going to steal Heather’s chance to dance the Sugar Plum Fairy?” Augustine looks seriously disturbed as she holds a knife in midair.
    “Calm down,” I say in a joking voice. “She’s not stealing my chance. She’s just better. And she’s Naomi’s best friend’s daughter.”
    “This is all wrong,” says Augustine. “You’ve been dancing for Naomi for years. You can’t just let this interloper waltz in and take your — ”
    “Elizabeth isn’t taking anything,” I say.
    Augustine nods and sets the knife back into the casserole. “Yes, I’m sure you’re right. And I have to give you credit for handling this so maturely. I’m sure I’d have been mad